STRASBURG SHARP OVER 5 IP

Stephen Strasburg made his return to the majors Tuesday night with five sharp innings vs. the Dodgers. In cold and windy conditions, Strasburg threw 56 pitches, 40 for strikes and struck out four with no walks and two hits allowed. He left with a 3-0 lead but the Dodgers came back to win the game 7-3.

It was Strasburg’s first outing for the Nationals after rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and came after several strong minor league outings. There were doubters who thought he was returning too quickly, but Strasburg looked very strong at this level.

SS Dee Gordon led off the game with a double but Strasburg set the next 11 batters down before a questionable single by LF Juan Rivera in the fourth inning. Rivera grounded one past SS Ian Desmon that appeared to be routine until it skipped under his glove.

Strasburg set the next four hitters down and left with the lead, but ultimately got a no-decision.

99 mph was the top speed for Strasburg with a lot of pitches thrown at 96-98. His pitch count by inning: 11, 12, 12, 13, 8. The Dodgers have been swinging hot bats over the last several weeks but they were silent against Strasburg and only came alive for their seven runs against the Washington bullpen.